Aligning device for clapper boxes



Jan. 17, 1950 w. F. PHILLIPS 2,494,961

ALIGNING DEVICE FOR CLAPPER BOXES Filed April 30, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 3 m W//c7/77/ J Patented Jan. 17, 1950 OFFICE ALIGNING DEVICE FOR CLAPPER BOXES William F. Phillips, Van Dyke, Mich.

Application April 30, 1946, Serial No. 666,156

Claims. 1

This invention relates to an aligning device for clapper boxes, and more particularly for clapper boxes of the type utilized in conjunction with shapers or planers, or similardevices.

A primary object of this invention is the provision of an improved device for assuring accurate alignment and centering of the clapper box during the working stroke of the apparatus, even after wear has occurred in the apparatus, and precluding consequent play between the moving and fixed parts of the clapper box.

An additional object of the invention is the provision of such a device which may be readily utilized in conjunction with any conventional type of clapper box or a variety of types of machines.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of an aligning device which may be readily manufactured as an integral part of a machine, or which may be subsequently installed in the clapper box.

A further object of the invention is the provision of such a device which will be sturdy and durable in construction, reliable and efficient in operation, and relatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture and assemble.

'Still other objects reside in the combinations of elements, arrangements of parts, and features of construction, all as will be more fully pointed out hereinafter and disclosed in the accompanying drawings wherein there is shown a preferred embodiment of this inventive concept.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a planer or similar device showing the relative position of the clapper box thereon, and the positioning of the instant invention.

Figure 2 is an enlarged side elevational view of the clapper box of Figure l, certain concealed portions thereof being indicated in dotted lines.

- Figure 3 is a front plan view of the clapper box disclosed in Figure 2, certain concealed portions thereof being indicated in dotted lines.

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the lower portion of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary enlarged front face view of the base plate.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawmgs.

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to Figure 1, there is generally indicated at it a planer including a work holder ll of conventional type and a movable head I2 also of conventional type. The head includes a clapper box generally indicated at [3 and conventional adjusting mechanism 14. The clapper box includes bolts l5 adapted for the securing of a tool of any desired type to the clapper box.

Referring now to the clapper box I3, the device is comprised of a fixed member 20 afiixed to the movable head of the planer and including an integral top portion 2! provided with an arcuate slot 22 which accommodates the bolt for adjustment of the device in a conventional manner. The fixed portion includes side flanges 2| and a back plate 42, the plate 42 being provided with a tool-holding aperture 23. The movable portion of the clapper box comprises a clapper 24 pivotally mounted, as on a pivot pin 25, the extremities of which are journaled in suitable bores in the side flanges 2|.

The movable clapper 24 is provided with a plurality of bolts 2l provided with lock nuts .29, holding tool-engaging plates 28, the assembly being adapted for the securing of a suitable tool to the clapper box.

The structure hereinbefore described has been largely conventional, and operates in a known manner, in that on the forward stroke of the apparatus including the head [2, the tool mounted on the clapper engages the work in the work holder to form or shape the same in any desired manner. On the return stroke of the device, the movable clapper 24 rotates about the pivot 25, allowing the tool to move back smoothly and unimpeded by the work.

Obviously, in shaping or planing perfect alignment is necessary to the proper operation of the device, and in the initial use of such a mechanism as a shaper or planer, perfect alignment is assured by careful machining of the parts. However, after a certain amount of use, wear occurs along the flanges 2 l or the sides of the movable clapper 24, in such manner that the movable clapper may become disaligned from its fixed support resulting ininaccurate work. The invention herein set forth comprises a means for insuring accurate alignment of the movable and fixed parts of the clapper box, even after such wear has occurred.

This construction takes the form of a groove or channel 30 cut diagonally across the face of the member 20 forming a semi-circular groove therein and extending outwardly in the form of bores 38' through the flanges 2|. A corresponding channel or groove 3| in alignment with the channel 30 is cut diagonally across the inner face of the movable clapper '24. A cylindrical pin 32 comprising a rib complementary to the combined grooves 30 and 3| is seated in the groove 30 and extends through the associated bores 20 in the side flanges 2!. Pin or rib 32 is secured to the clapper 24 in any desired manner as by being welded thereto. Obviously, on the working stroke of the clapper box, the groove 3| of the clapper seats the pin 32 therein. Some of the thrust generated in the clapper by the working stroke is obviously in an upward direction on account of the resistance of the work to the cutting action of the tool. The diagonal disposition of the rib or pin 32 and groove 3! transmits such upward thrust into lateral thrust by camming action which results in a slight lateral movement of the clapper 24 causing it to be seated tightly against one of the flanges 2 l at all times throughout the working stroke. Such lateral movement is relatively unimportant before wear of the parts causes play of the clapper. However, thereafter it is important as it assures a firm seat and uniform positioning of the clapper and the tool carried thereby through the working stroke.

It will thus be seen that there is herein provided a device which accomplishes all the objects of this invention, and others, including many advantages of great practical utility and commercial importance.

As various embodiments may be made of this inventive concept, and since various modifications may be made in the embodiment hereinbefore shown and described, it is to be understood that all matter herein is to be interpreted merely as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. In a clapper box for a reciprocating tool including a fixed base plate, a pair of laterally spaced side flanges fixed to said plate, and a clapper swingably mounted on said plate between said flanges, said plate and clapper including opposed surfaces, adapted to abut during the working stroke of said tool, the improvement comprising a diagonal rib fixed to one of said surfaces, said other surface being formed with a diagonal groove complementary to said rib and receiving the same therein during said Working stroke, and said rib and groove cooperating to cam said clapper laterally into firm engagement with one of said flanges during the working stroke of said tool.

2. In a clapper box for a reciprocating tool including a fixed base plate, a pair of laterally spaced side flanges fixed to said plate, and a clapper swingably mounted on said plate between said flanges, said plate and clapper including opposed surfaces, adapted to abut during the working stroke of said tool, the improvement comprising a diagonal rib fixed to said surface of said plate, said surface of said clapper being formed with a diagonal groove complementary to said rib and receiving the same therein during said working stroke, and said rib and groove operating to cam said clapper laterally into firm engagement with one of said flanges during the working stroke of said tool.

3. In a clapper box for a reciprocating tool including a fixed base plate, a pair of laterally spaced side flanges fixed to said plate, and a clapper swingably mounted on said plate between said flanges, said plate and clapper including opposed surfaces, adapted to abut during the working stroke of said tool, the improvement comprising said flanges being formed with aligned diagonal bores therein, said surface of said plate being formed with a diagonal semi-cylindrical groove therein in alignment with said bores, a cylindrical pin seated in said groove, and fixed to said plate, said pin including free ends seated in said bores, and said surface of said clapper being formed with a corresponding semi-cylindrical groove receiving said pin therein during said working stroke, and said pin and last-named groove cooperating to cam said clapper laterally into firm engagement with one of said flanges during the working stroke of said tool.

4. In a clapper box for a reciprocating tool including a fixed base plate, a pair of laterally spaced side flanges fixed to said plate, and a clapper swingably mounted on said plate between said flanges, said plate and clapper including opposed surfaces, adapted to abut during the working stroke of said tool, the improvement comprising a diagonal semi-cylindrical rib fixed to one of said surfaces, said other surface being formed with a diagonal semi-cylindrical groove complementary to said rib and receiving the same therein during said working stroke, and said rib and groove cooperating to cam said clapper laterally into firm engagement with one of said flanges during the working stroke of said tool.

5. In a clapper box for a reciprocating tool including a fixed base plate, a pair of laterally spaced side flanges fixed to said plate, and a clapper swingably mounted on said plate between said flanges, said plate and clapper including opposed surfaces, adapted to abut during the working stroke of said tool, the improvement comprising a diagonal semi-cylindrical rib fixed to said surface of said plate, said surface of said clapper being formed with a diagonal semi-cylindrical groove complementary to said rib and receiving the same therein during said working stroke, and said rib and groove cooperating to cam said clapper laterally into firm engagement with one of said flanges during the working stroke of said tool.

WILLIAM F. PHILLIPS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 590,341 Smith Sept. 21, 1897 709,953 Bachmann Sept. 30, 1902 1,896,360 Hazelton Feb. 7, 1933 

